Strong offense and a stingy defense have led the Dowagiac football team to a 3-0 record heading into division play Friday.

The Chieftains have scored an area-best 196 points, while on the other side of the football, Dowagiac is allowing its opponents just 8.7 points per contest, which is among the area leaders.

Dowagiac hits the road Friday to take on Berrien Springs, one of the new members of the Wolverine Conference. The contest also marks the West Division opener for both schools.

The Chieftains and Shamrocks haven’t met on the gridiron since 1994. Dowagiac defeated Berrien Springs 35-0 that season on its way to a 8-1 season.

Since 1950, the Chieftains are 10-0 and have outscored the Shamrocks 397-45. Dowagiac has six shutouts in its 10 meetings with Berrien Springs.

 

Niles at Kalamazoo Central

The Vikings are 2-1 for the third straight year.

Niles defeated Lumen Christi and Coldwater in 2011 before suffering a loss to Mattawan in the third week of the season.

Two years ago, the Vikings defeated Coldwater and Marshall to kick off the season before losing to St. Joseph.

Niles lost three straight games last season and two straight in the 2010 campaign before earning its next victory.

New coach Antwon Jones and his staff are working hard to reverse that trend.

Niles is averaging 31 points per game this season, while allowing 23 points per game.

The Vikings’ opponent, Kalamazoo Central, comes into Friday’s game with a 1-2 record. The Maroon Giants have scored just 43 points this season, while having given up 61.

Kalamazoo Central opened up its season with a 20-0 win over winless Battle Creek Central before being defeated by Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 22-9 and Portage Central 39-14.

 

Brandywine at LaLumiere

The Bobcats are in the second week of a five-week road swing that will make or break their season.

Brandywine is 3-0 for the third consecutive season. But unlike the previous two years, the Bobcats do not have to run through a string of Class B school like they have in the past.

Brandywine has been putting up some big numbers offensively. The Bobcats are averaging 37 points per game, led by running back Courtlan Gordan who has already scored six touchdowns and a total of 40 points.

Gordon has rushed for 498 yards already this season after eclipsing the 1,000-yard plateau last year.

Defensively, Brandywine has also been strong, allowing just 22 points in its first three contests. The points allowed average of 7.3 points per game is second-best in the area.

LaPorte LaLumiere, a 47-7 loser to Cassopolis last week, presents the challenge Saturday afternoon for the Bobcats. That game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.